I just picked up the new Canon Digital Rebel 6.3 megapixel SLR ( http://www.canoneos.com/ ). I posted some of these pics in another thread but it is more appropriate here. Anyway, for $1000 this is an awesome camera and the point-and-shoot cameras don't come close to the quality of the images. Even with a low-end $200 75-300 USM zoom lens I got great results, but I expect even better results once I get a higher quality 70-200L series lens.

Bill I'm looking at getting that same camera. So you think it's really worth the money versus a little cheaper point and shoot camera? What do you like and dislike about it so far? I'm not a professional photographer by any means but I want to buy a digital camera that has a fast shutter speed and high qaulity pics.

Yes, I definitely think it's worth the money. No shutter lag and being able to change lenses are the biggest advantages. You really need a decent zoom to shoot wakeboarding and shutter lag makes it easy to miss a trick. The next thing is higher shutter speeds and the ability control all of the settings manually.

The only thing that I don't like so far is that amount of money I'm going to spend on all of the accessories that I now feel I have to have: more and bigger memory cards, higher quality flash, more lenses, etc.

But I think you can see from the pics above that the basic camera with a $200 zoom does a great job. The only thing you will have to buy is a CF memory card since the camera doesn't come with one, and also buy a USB card reader since transferring images from the camera is slow and wastes the battery.}

Bill, Just curious where did you buy your camera, what was included, and for how much?

No shutter lag is exactly what you need when shooting for tricks. I like how you can change it up and use different lenses too. It's just that I have a hard time spending that much money on a camera for recreational/consumer photography.

I get all my CF cards from Amazon. If you search the web they have the best price or at least comparable for the Lexar Pro's. It is the fastest media available at 40X and has a great warranty. They also come with a card reader.

I bought my camera from Dell because it was 10% off during a recent sale. Apparently digital SLR cameras weren't supposed to be included in the sale but their web store didn't know that

So it was $913 shipped 2 day, no tax, for the kit which includes the camera and 18-55mm lens, no CF card. Most places sell the kit for $999 and it's hard to find it discounted because it's in short supply and high demand.

Bill, Did you get the camera with the lens that comes standard or just the body? Is the lens that comes with the camera worth getting, or would it be better to buy the body and get a better lens separate?

I got it with the kit lens, which is a decent lens for the money. Definitely not a great lens, but for less than $100 it's a good buy. Since then I've picked up a used 28-105mm lens off eBay, and a new 70-200 f4L lens for shooting wakeboarding.

How does the camera perform straight out of the box? Do the images look good without having to buy a lenses or is that a must? I am looking to upgrade my camera and yours is high on my list. Also, does the camera have an option to out put high resolution(300 dpi) photos? Thanks.

The camera performs just fine out of the box. However, just like any SLR, lenses are an important investment and critical to getting good shots. For wakeboarding you'll want about a 135mm lens on the Rebel. I initially used a 75-300 lens (about $250) but upgraded to the Canon L series 70-200mm (about $600). It's great for wakeboarding but as you can see in the pics above the cheap lens does a pretty good job too (the surf pics were also taken with the 75-300mm lens).

It's not a point-and-shoot camera so it takes some time and effort to get great shots, but with some effort and skill you'll be able to capture moments that a p&s never could, at least not with the same quality.

Hey Bill, I am also thinking of getting that camera. Regarding the lenses you use, are they special digital lenses or are they the same ones used on an SLR? I have an EOS A1 and would like to use those lenses

One thing to keep in mind. You're standard eos lenses are multiplied by 1.6(you're 200mil will be a 320mil). My old strobe doesnt fire at all on auto like with my 1-n. I have to adjust it manually. It is a crappy 430ez, guess I will just have to use it as my slave driven strobe. Didn't really think about having to get a new flash, oh well, another new toy.

Just a little - sharpening and contrast. No need to play with the white balance because I've been shooting outdoors and it's been accurate. Lately I've been shooting in RAW mode and I have to get some experience converting the RAW images to .tiff or .jpeg, in which case the advanced options don't come into play because you control all of that in the conversion.

Hey Bill what shutter speed setting do you use for those wakeboarding pics with your zoom? I know you mentioned it in some thread but I can't seem to find it. Thanks, Sunday is my first day shooting wakeboarding, can't wait? Since I am a rookie any other tips would be awesome!!!

great pics! in november, i will celebrate one year of owning the sweetness that is the digirebel. Question for you about non-Canon brand flashes? do you know what the compatibility of the camera is with Quantaray flashes? so far, have not found one that is compatible with the AF features. Any input would be appreciated!

Tim, no I didn't install the hack. But I ended up selling it to a friend because I upgraded to the Canon 1D Mark II. I went with that camera for it's speed (8fps) and focusing system. The Rebel worked well for shooting from the boat but not as well from a chase boat due to it's 7 point AF system and AI Focus only working in sports mode.

Tim, I installed the hack on my Rebel mainly for the flash compensation ability. I do a lot of indoor photography, so that was the biggest improvement for me. Really Jonesing for the new 20D. 5fps, up to 23 shots for the 20D as opposed to 2.5fps, up to 4 for the Rebel. 20D is definately an action camera, where the Rebel is more of a snapshot camera.

I second that Bill J, the rebel is not a good camera for shooting from a chase boat. The auto focus is terrible. I cannot afford the MK II, so I am upgrading to the 20D in hopes that it will have a much better autofocus. The burst rate and increased buffer will be much better also (I hope).

BTW Tim I see You're from Pontotoc, small world as I am from Tupelo. I bet I have seen you @ Bean's Ferry in Fulton before. I ride with Nathan Strange and crew. Crazy. Anyway, where do you plan on buying the 20D? I think Best Buy in Memphis is the best bet for locally, as the warranty you can buy is helpful or has been to me since my Rebel died for no reason took it back to them new one no questions asked. Also a link to my online wakeboard pic gallery on wakeboarder. cheers. shelby

Shelby, Crazy man. We try to hit Bean's Ferry when we can. I'm in the Wakesetter that is in my profile. I have not ridden with Nathan, but I have a bud that has ridden with him or seen him ride, he says he's pretty sick. I'm probably gonna hold off on the 20D, although I'd love to have it, because the Rebel has been doing a pretty good job thus far. I work for a photography studio here in Pontotoc and we order from a Pro supply store. Believe it or not, I prefer the Rebel over the Fuji S2 Pros that we have. Canon just makes a better product. If you see us out, come over and hollar at us.

Your camera meters available light and adjust your compatible flash's output accordingly. Sometimes the camera gets it wrong (more often than not with my cheap flash)and the flash compensation allows you to adjust by increments how much more or less flash that you want for the situation. It also works well for shooting outside for a fill flash, where the flash is not lighting the whole subject, just the underexposed areas like the eyes. I usually set the FC down about a half stop to a stop in these cases.